Calling out for Fresh Fire

I'm stuck in between seasons, stuck with too much work, stuck-stuck-stuck. In the need for Fresh Fire I'm taking a class----------- online, and it started today. Now.......... aside from giving up much needed sleep, how to really get in there and get creative. I'm really excited about it and am actually scheduling (really) time to play. Whatever works I say. From the creative brain of Christy Tomlinson---- this class offered next on April 11th has a perk or two!


It's "The She Art Workshop is a 3 week e-course but because this is the second launch, you will have instant access to ALL of the materials, videos, PDF's and class content to all three weeks immediately! In this workshop, you will learn how to create unique and detailed she Art girls, as seen in my art and mixed projects! I will also teach you how to create backgrounds, textures, and layering styles on canvases and other surfaces! You will walk away from this class feeling confident in creating your own personalized" She Art" pieces as well as having learned new art techniques you can use in other mixed media projects! "

In other news to catch you up:

Tornados rolled through last night, about an hour was spent in the basement at midnight. I think that emergency preparation kits need to contain more than candles, a radio, water and matches! I am tucking into mine: a simple project I can do 'something' with--- right now that is a simple shawlette. Remember the bag I made for Emily at Christmas? The door handle bag? That one will be hanging on my basement doorknob and I plan to fill it with goodness!

The Eiffel in process is halfway through the second chart, much happiness being had.

I met my sons girlfriend yesterday after a 3 hour drive to Indiana. Actually met the whole gang from sister & baby to mother and dad and even gramma. I was pretty nervous----- and I have to say that I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!! How excited am I????? LOVE this girl, want to get to know her better, hang out with her and call her my own. Yippee.

And quoting vintage Edith Ann I say, "and that's the truth".

Get Inspired

Of course inspiration comes from a lot of different sources! One of mine (as you know) is Amy Powers and her fabulous digital magazines, "Inspired Ideas". The spring issue is out and you really need to pop on over and pick up a copy. It is FABULOUS! $3.30, c'mon what a reasonable price for fantastic inspiration, happy photos, excellent ideas that will percolate in your brain!

get yours at Inspired Ideas

My favorite? I love them all, each wonderful project but I have to say I'm torn between Monica's darling needlebook and Lesa Dailey's Bunny slippers. Adorable!

Enough already------ off you go............ buy it, you won't be sorry I promise!!!

Discoveries from White Legs

It was 65 here yesterday! And pretty gorgeous today as well! To us, it was a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE deal. I wore little flats with NO socks or tights----- there was no coat and only a 3/4 sleeved tee under my dress!

I have discovered two very important things however:

• I need to shave my legs
• I need to exfoliate
• and a little moisturizer wouldn't hurt the pasty whites either!!!

There has been no knitting (or creating) to speak of. But there IS the promise of spring which I find tremendously motivating!!!

What it Is--

So, I think I'm too stressed out. Work has taken me to the Crazy Place lately. I've discovered that while I appreciate lots of new clients and their projects, trying to do it all has left me a bit challenged. I'm re-0rganizing as we speak.

The WORST thing to come of it? The final straw? Remember the Eiffel Tower Shawl? Gorgeous, yes it is. I have spent days knitting, ripping, knitting, frogging, ad infinitum. I could not for the life of me determine WHY the stitch count was wrong. Every time. Frustration was enormous. I even "talked" to the fabulous designer Natalie Servant who tried so hard to help me. I'm telling you I was crazy about the whole thing.

Do you know what the problem was? This is so sad. I did not SSK correctly. That's right, somehow my brain forgot how to process a SSK (slip slip knit for non-knitters). It is something you learn right off the bat, it is basic, it is easy and it should not have run out of my brain. I screwed it up every row. Well duh------- of course the stitch count would be off and it would look like crap!

I've now fixed the problem of my complete and utter stupidity and am happily knitting along. Thanks Natalie----- and thanks brain, I am really counting on you not to leave me so soon!!! Geez.

My Valentines Day gift was a bit messed up too. (insert sniffle). Delightful French macaroons were ordered from my beloved Santa Fe. They were somehow involved in a big ole' mix up and arrived in a horrible condition.

That was the view when opening the box!!!!!! Seriously, these people might make fine treats but their packaging leaves a bit to be desired. Did I eat them? Of course. The thought behind the gift was so sweet that I had to! They were 75% of fabulous. And I hope their is a refund in their future for the condition they arrived in!

Back to it. Hope your Valentines Day was all you wanted and that your brain is in better shape than mine. (which is pretty easy to accomplish!)

Cardi Blocking---- Trip to the Eiffel

The cardi is blocking----- a nice wet block! I'm really thrilled that it's done, it feels REALLY odd not to be knitting in natural colored Eco!

I told her she could relax in the very cold basement on a beach towel. As this cardi is super warm, there will be no beach in her future! No buttons yet, the week has been too crazy to allow that to happen.

Although, I do have guests coming to dinner and have a clean house, laundry done and lasagna ready to pop into the oven---- doesn't that count for something I ask you??

What it really means is that I'd like to be knitting on my new project, the Eiffel Tower Shawl. So far this is all I have................. 23 rows.

That's Prince in the background keeping watch. I've done rows 21-23 four times now I'm missing something and wondering if I missed a bit of errata or if it's just me. Probably the latter. I am going to have to have a really mindless project and am thinking of casting on a simple little scarflette in that delicious spring green silken straw.

I've taken on another client---- and my workload was already getting my attention. My fear is that there will be even less time to knit. (Deep sigh of great impending sadness).

The really great news is that it should be in the 50's next week, I'm thinking spring!

Last Bit----

And today while watching the Caps/Penguins and the Blues game the blocked backs and fronts were joined at the shoulders and the gibbity zillion stitches picked up around the fronts and neck edge of the cardigan. Just a few more rows (although really,really long ones) and I can set my sleeves, stitch the sides and the cardi will be done.

Leaving me with the thought, oh crap---- buttons. I've had a VERY long time to consider buttons and I have none. Bummer. The buttons I originally purchased for the now frogged and repurposed cardi (aka boat cover) have been used for another project.

I'll get right on that!
******Edited to say that on my way to bed I've just finished the buttonhole row. 3 more rows to go, this cardigan should be done TOMORROW!!!!!!

Happy Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil, that cute but reportedly cranky groundhog says (wait for it...) SPRING! Yes, the furry predictor of all things winter vs. spring made his prediction this morning that there would be an early spring! We can only hope he is right! Just in case you're not entirely positive that Phil will give you the true weather report, his counterpart Staten Island Chuck has said the same thing.

Here at Casita Contessa we dodged a bullet, yes we did. The forecast was dire, ice, power outages, blizzard conditions, snow in double digits and cold. All around me those predictions came true. By the light (the very, very, very cold light) of day it's not too bad. The car doors are still frozen solidly despite my best attempt to get around that issue---- and the 4 inches of snow was very light and powdery, easy to shovel a path for me (and the dogs). Under the powdery stuff is a couple of inches of ice and sleet but at least there is a layer of snow that allows walking without peril. We never lost power and jammies were the order of the Snow Day. It was actually kind of nice. I'll admit to not knitting one single stitch but I read a book and a half, baked chocolate chip cookies and even took a nap. I'm feeling like a kid in school and make no bones about not wanting to go back to school. Ever. Unfortunately the downside of the technology that creates my work means that my work travels with me, even when snowed in.

I'm looking forward to Mardi Gras............ St. Patrick's Day.............. Easter............... all things that mean the warm weather is on the way!

Thanks Phil (and Chuck), we're going to trust you on the early spring!